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When you think of purim, you might think of fun – parties, costumes and shalach manos. But it’s important to understand the laws and customs of purim as well. Enter The Halachic Handbook: Laws of Purim, . by Rabbi Yitzchok Rosedale. In this handy, pocket-sized volum, the laws of Purim are clearly laid out and explained in a concise and understandable manner.

This week is Parashas Zachor, the shabbos in which we read the Torah portion recounting the war with Amalek. To help you understand the complex laws surrounding this special mitzvah, this week’s free download gives you the chapter on Parashas Zochar. Download it and share it with your friends so they can learn too.

Don’t forget – get free shipping at ArtScroll.com on all orders that are over $49 (in the USA)!

Here’s a closer look at the titles included in this limited time sale:

Schottenstein Edition Talmud Bavli: With its flowing translation, clear elucidation, diagrams, vowelized text, and introductions to the tractates and individual topics, the Schottenstein Edition Talmud Bavli has earned world-wide acclaim and transformed the lives of tens of thousands of people who are making Talmud study a vital part of their day.

Schottenstein Talmud Yerushalmi: A translation and elucidation that has made the wisdom of the Yerushalmi accessible to thousands who are now able to revel in its study. This groundbreaking work is available in both Hebrew and English versions.

Yad Avrohom Mishnah: A major series that includes clear translation, diagrams and illustrations, and the extensive Yad Avraham commentary covering a full range of commentators.

Schottenstein Edition Mishnah Elucidated: Newest addition to the ArtScroll library, the elucidated translation adds words and phrases to make the Mishnah text clear, while notes clarify the Mishnah further. This is ideal for those looking for a basic yet thorough approach – people studying for a yahrtzeit or sheloshim and young people or adults who have limited time but want a clear understanding of Mishnah. The full Seder Moed and Nashim vol. 1 have been published, with other volumes in preparation.

Ryzman Edition Hebrew Mishnah: This Hebrew-language elucidation of Mishnah enables readers to learn at many levels. It includes the Mishnah text and the Rav’s commentary, newly-typeset; a phrase-by-phrase translation and elucidation, in readable Hebrew; an expanded explanation of the Mishnah; an “Iyunim” level for in-depth study, and a summary of the halachos that emerge from the Mishnah, as presented in Shulchan Aruch.

Classic works of Jewish thought teach that each of the twelve lunar months corresponds to one of the twelve tribes. What do the months and the respective tribes have in common? … The Wisdom in the Hebrew Months opens the door to a new dimension of understanding. Drawing upon the full breadth of Talmudic, Midrashic, and Rabbinic literature, this work sheds new light on the months of the year, the tribes of Israel, and the ways that Hashem relates to His people. It is engrossing, interesting, stimulating, and provocative.

We’re gearing up for Purim here at ArtScroll, and we’re giving away a selection of Purim titles and gifts for everyone in your family!

ArtScroll’s extensive selection of Purim titles includes megillos for both adults and children, Purim reading and stories, halachic guides, and even Purim themed judaica and mishloach manos items. Make sure to shop now in order to get everything in time for Purim, then scroll down for your chance to win our ultimate Purim gift basket!

The Ultimate Purim Gift Basket Giveaway!

Included in this giveaway:

Esther: The Megillah: This is the sefer that launched what was to become ArtScroll. This ground-breaking sefer contains the text of the megillah, English translation, and commentary from 2000 years of talmudic and rabbinic sources.

Let My Nation Live: Learn and understand the Purim story as never before with this fascinating book. While it reads like a story, this book is filled with carefully researched facts based on Talmudic and Medrashic sources. Download a sample chapter here.

The Family Megillah: x2!! This easy-to-follow edition of Megillas Esther provides the text, translation and short commentary – all in a compact sefer. All of the adults in your family will want to use one of these, so it’s a good thing the winner will be getting two of them!

The ArtScroll Children’s Megillah: In this edition of Megillas Esther, made especially for children, renowned children’s author, Shmuel Blitz, presents the story of Esther – and its lessons – in a thrilling and exciting manner. This is a great way for your children to learn the Purim story!

Purim Cookie Cutters:ArtScroll carries a full line of Judaica for all seasons and Purim is no exception. With fun paper-goods, mishloach manos gift boxes and lots more, ArtScroll.com is your one-stop-shop for all things Purim! These Purim shaped cookie cutters will make it easy to create adorable Purim-themed cookies!

Purim Confetti: This confetti comes in an assortment of Purim shapes and will make your Purim celebrations a whole lot more fun!

To enter the giveaway for all of the above items in ArtScroll’s Ultimate Purim Package: Leave a comment on this post letting us know that you would like to win!

With Purim coming up in just a few weeks, Jewish cooks from all over the world are eagerly preparing their purim

Whenever you’re cooking, whether it’s for a Jewish Holiday, a weeknight supper, or anything in between, you’re bound to find the recipe you’re looking for in one of ArtScroll’s top-of-the-line Kosher cookbooks. With Purim coming up in just a few weeks, we figured it’s a good time for the Official ArtScroll Blog to share one of those fabulous recipes: Savory Hamantashen from Fresh and Easyby Leah Schapira. Traditional sweet hamantashen are great, but these Savory Hamantaschen, with their delicious dipping sauce, make a great appetizer for your Purim Seudah!

When dough has slightly defrosted (approximately 10 minute after removing from freezer), use a cookie cutter to cut out 2º-inch circles. Defrost circles for an additional 5 minutes. Using a rolling pin or pressing down with your hands, roll the dough circles slightly until they are 3Ω inches wide.

Place a heaping teaspoonful of chicken mixture into the center of each circle. Pinch the edges together to form a hamentash.

Heat a thin layer of oil in a skillet or frying pan. Add hamentashen to pan, filled side down. Fry over medium-low heat for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through or until golden (the heat needs to be low enough so the chicken is cooked before the dough browns).

To prepare dipping sauce, add all ingredients to a bowl and stir to combine thoroughly.

One of our best-selling Purim titles is Let My Nation Liveby Yosef Deutch. Presenting the miracle of Purim in story form, Let My Nation Live is an excellent way to gain an understanding and appreciation for the thrilling story, the struggles and triumphs, and the miracles portrayed in Megillas Esther. Based on sources from the Talmud, the Medrash and classic commentaries, this fascinating book will give you an appreciation for the purim story like never before.

Get ready for rosh chodesh adar by reading the first chapter of this great book – for free!

Talmud and Mishnah Sale includes:

Plus, get free shipping on USA orders over $49.

*30% discount off list price. Travel paperback individual volumes not included in sale. Complimentary Shipping is valid in the Continental U.S. only on purchases of $49 or more in the same order. Taxes and prior purchases do not qualify toward the minimum purchase requirement. Eligible customers must select saver shipping during checkout to receive complimentary shipping. Sale ends March 3rd, 2015.

Bestselling beloved author Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski, M.D. shows us how to unleash and harness the vast power of berachos. In his inimitable combination of Torah insight and marvelous stories, he examines the structure of the berachos and the meaning of the words. He then leads us through our day, sharing insights and stories about the berachos that we recite, from the first blessing we say as we wash our hands, through blessings on Torah, on food, in prayer, all the way up to our last minutes before we go to sleep. And he takes us throughout the year, examining the special berachos of the Festivals and holy days, as well as the blessings we recite on all the special occasions of our lives.

As part of our weekly free-download series, The Official ArtScroll Blog is offering a sample chapter of this excellent new book.

ArtScroll offers a free download every Thursday – either from new releases, related to the parashah, or about timely topics. Click here for past downloads, and make sure to visit this blog every week for the newest. If you liked this post, make sure to spread the words – your friends will enjoy it too!

It’s finally here! The long-awaited and highly-anticipated ArtScroll Wasserman Digital Siddur is now available for your Apple device. Try it free with a bencher/bircas hamazon download – scroll down for details.

It’s got cutting edge smart technology. Perfect for travelers, commuters, and people on the go. It’s beyond anything available today. But most of all — It’s the ArtScroll Siddur.

ArtScroll’s new Smart Siddur includes these amazing features:

ArtScroll’s classic, beloved look and feel: the fonts, layout, and nikud of the ArtScroll Wasserman Siddur

Tap on a phrase and you get the ArtScroll translation, commentary, and laws

Enlarge the font size – and still keep the classic ArtScroll format

Includes weekday Torah readings with phrase-by-phrase translation

The Search function allows you to find any phrase in the Siddur

Put in personal notes, highlight text and Bookmarks

Set location to Eretz Yisrael and receive the appropriate tefillos and minhagim

Wasserman Digital Siddur for weekday is now available for your Apple devices. Coming soon for Android users! Currently available in Nusach Ashkenaz. Nusach Sefard in preparation.

Try it free! Two easy ways to download a free digital Bencher/Bircas Hamazon from the ArtScroll Wasserman Digital Siddur:

1) Download the ArtScroll app or install the latest update (version 3.0) and the bencher will automatically download to your library.

2) Open the ArtScroll app and select the store option. Click on the Wasserman Digital Siddur icon, and then scroll down until you see the free bencher sample. Click on where it says “free” and the download will begin. You can now find the bencher in your library.

Attention Rusty Brick Siddur users: You can upgrade to the ArtScroll Wasserman Digital Siddur for a reduced price. Click the purchase option that says “Existing Rusty Brick Siddur Users Purchase.” Note: You must have the latest version of the Rusty Brick Siddur installed to take advantage of this option.

If you have little boys in your life – whether it’s a son, grandson, nephew, or anyone else – you’re probably very familiar with the concept of the disappearing yarmulka. Rivke Gerstenblit, seasoned writer and mother-of-boys decided to do something about the problem. Her new children’s book, Baruch and His Disappearing Yarmulka, tackles this challenge and teaches an easy solution in a fun way.

Rivke sat down with The Official ArtScroll blog to discuss her new book. Scroll passed the interview for your chance to win a free copy!

My three-year-old kept losing his yarmulke. I just put myself into his head; with and without yarmulke. After I wrote the book, I had two more boys and they also constantly lost their yarmulkes. It seems to be a universal problem.

How long did it take you to write this book?

Writing the initial book took very little time. Probably less than an hour. The best material I have written comes to me quickly. If I have to work on the initial draft too long, then the final work is just not as good. Perfecting the rhythm and obsessing over word choices took years. Not continuously, but I would go back to it and make small changes. I was quite busy with other things — like raising the children — and had no sense of urgency. There were years that I didn’t even look at it.

What made you decide to finally submit your manuscript?

My family, especially my parents, would always ask me when I was going to do something with my yarmulke book. And I always answered with some variation of “One day….” I don’t really know what I was waiting for. Then someone asked me about it in front of my ten year old daughter and she asked, “what book?!” So I read it to her and she started asking me (quite often) to submit it to a publisher. She was pretty persistent. I finally bit the bullet.

When and how did you get started as a writer?

When I was about five my older sister was putting me to bed and I suddenly recited the following rhyme, “I wash the windows, I wash the floors, and on the way I shut the doors.” That was my first piece. I passed my friend so many humorous (or so I thought) poems during class in that after graduation she gave me a booklet she had made of them. I started writing for a local magazine about six years ago, and shortly after that I started writing for Binah magazine. Between my cleaning poem and my professional writing career, I’ve been writing my entire life.

Why is the name of the main character Baruch?

My three-year-old son Baruch inspired this book. This just happened to be fourteen years ago. Baruch is currently seventeen,kein ayin hara.

Have you gotten any feedback on your book from readers?

My family and friends are always sending me pictures of their children reading the book. I love getting those pictures. I love when people tell me they go through the same thing with their sons and they needed a book just like this, and I love getting excited calls and texts from people I know. The support is amazing. I didn’t expect it. I didn’t think it would be a big deal for anyone other than myself, but I see that it is. I feel so touched hearing how much people enjoy my book.

What’s next? Any new books on the horizon?

My second children’s book about bedtime is scheduled for an upcoming release by ArtScroll – stay tuned for details and the release date!

Leave a comment on this post letting us know that you would like to win!

**Giveaway ends on Monday, February 9th at 11:59 pm eastern time. Winner will receive one copy of Baruch and His Disappearing Yarmulke. Prize can be shipped within the USA. Winner will be chosen randomly and notified via email. Valid email address must be provided to claim prize. Limit one entry per person.